The co-production with Berkeley Repertory Theatre, where the work first played, will officially open at the Public's Anspacher Theater May 14 for a run through June 3.

Co-commissioned by the two theatres and developed at the Sundance Theatre Lab, Passing Strange tells the story "of a young black bohemian in search of self and home who charts a course for 'the real' through sex, drugs, and rock and roll" and journeys "from black, middle-class America to Amsterdam, Berlin, and beyond," according to press notes.

The new rock musical features music by singer-songwriter-performance artist Stew and Heidi Rodewald with a book and lyrics by Stew directed by (and created in collaboration with) Annie Dorsen.

The musicians, led by Stew and Rodewald, include guitarist, keyboardist and musical supervisor Jon Spurney (Hedwig and the Angry Inch), Marc Doten (bassist for Double Naught Spy Car) on keyboards and guitar and Christian Cassan (ABC's "Spin City") on drums.